Acting Attorney General Hoffman Announces Election SafeguardsDeputy Attorneys General to be Stationed in All 21 Counties

TRENTON – Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman announced today that approximately 150 Deputy Attorneys General (DAsG) will be assigned throughout the state on Election Day, November 5, to help ensure a fair and smooth-running election, and to assist county election officials in resolving voting-related legal issues.

According to Hoffman, DAsG from the Division of Law will be stationed in each of the state’s 21 counties to handle any court applications, and to provide timely legal advice to County Superintendents of Election and Boards of Election on emergent, voting-related matters. The DAsG will be on duty from the time the polls open until they close.

“The right to vote is one of the foundations of our democracy, and we are committed to protecting that right,” said Acting Attorney General Hoffman. “By deploying DAsG throughout the state, we are helping to ensure the integrity of the voting process, as well as our ability to promptly and fairly resolve any voting-related legal issues that may arise.”

"At county election offices and, when necessary, in court, Division of Law deputies will ensure that voters' rights and the State's election laws are enforced fully and consistently. The Division's resources will be out in force fulfilling this important responsibility,” said Division of Law Director Christopher S. Porrino.

Hoffman explained that it is a criminal offense to solicit or electioneer voters as they enter or exit a polling location. He noted that a “protective zone” extends 100 feet from the outside entrance of any polling site. Attempts to interfere with voters within this zone are usually handled by law enforcement officers from the appropriate agency.

According to Hoffman, any person who believes his or her right to vote has been interfered with, or who wishes to report other voting-related problems, should contact the state’s hotline at 1-877-NJVOTER.

Members of the public can also address election-related questions to their County Superintendent of Election and county Board of Election. A list of county-level election office contacts, as well as other useful elections-related informtion, can be found on the Division of Elections Web site at www.NJElections.org .